Chapter 7 Joan Part 1

The sunny weather that morning got me excited about the day. After yesterday Mrs. Angie and I managed to help Susan, I feel so relieved. This is the first time my heart feels this much happiness after helping others.

As usual, I went to school alone by taking the public bus. Through the car window I looked around, it seemed that everyone was passing by on the side of the road, ready to do today's activities. In the past, I had doubts about, whether could I live alone without my parents. After living it, I feel living alone is quite enjoyable. I don't need to ask permission every time I want to go somewhere. No one will scold me when I come home late. Yes, though I'm more comfortable with my parents around. I will no longer bother preparing breakfast or preparing school uniforms. I remember all my needs first, mother who prepares. Even though I have felt comfortable living alone with all the freedom I get, still living with my parents is much more enjoyable. I never stop wishing, that soon I could live with my parents like before.

Upon arrival at Grandes High School, as usual, none of my classmates greeted me. I think I'm used to situations like this.

I barged in without caring about those who were in the classroom. Without even greeting any of them, I walked towards my seat.

"Good morning, Leslie."

The one who greeted this was of course my best friend, Celia. She's the only person in this class who talks to me.

"Good morning too, Celia," I replied.

"You seem happy today. Your face is very cheerful."

"Hm... so to speak." I smiled broadly at the end of my speech.

"What's wrong? Tell me!"

I almost let go and told Celia about my experience yesterday, remembering I had decided to keep this strange ability of mine from Celia, immediately my mouth that had been open and closed again.

"Hm ... I'm glad I was on the phone with my parents. I miss them so much." finally again I lied.

"Ooh so."

I nodded. Celia always believes my lies, this is what makes me always feel guilty.

As usual, Celia looked beautiful today. When I looked at her face, the memory of yesterday's incident came back to me. I'm still curious why Celia didn't tell me about the ban on entering haunted toilets. I would have almost asked, had I not heard the bell ring. Maybe I should postpone it, I can ask later.

Every day, school starts at 8 am and ends at 2 pm. Since I have Celia, I feel time goes by fast. One more thing that makes me admire Celia, apart from her beauty and kindness. Celia is also smart, she often helps me explain subjects that I don't understand.

When it's time to go home. I saw Mrs. Angie was waiting for me again. I sighed tiredly, what more could she want now? lazy to serve it, I decided to pretend not to see it. I walked with Celia, we just passed her.

"Leslie!"

That call, I heard it, pretending not to hear, I kept walking away.

"Hey, Leslie. Wait. I know you hear me."

Mrs. Angie kept calling me, she even followed me but I kept walking without the slightest care for her.

"The teacher seems to be calling you. Why are you ignoring her?"

Celia looked confused by my attitude.

"Leslie, please wait a moment."

Upset to death because Mrs. Angie didn't give up, I finally gave in. I stopped walking and looked at Celia regretfully.

"Sorry Celia, you go ahead."

"Where are you going?"

"I want to see that fussy teacher first."

"Hmm, okay."

I broke away from Celia and walked quickly toward Mrs. Angie who was left far behind.

"What's wrong, Mrs? I'm in a hurry," I asked, curtly.

"Are you on a show?"

"Not really, I'm just tired, want to quickly rest."

"You have to help me calm the spirits who are still curious in this school."

I rolled my eyes, bored. "Didn't I say I don't want anything to do with ghosts anymore? You can do it yourself. Sorry, I'll be home first."

Then I continued the delayed step.

"I'm sure your heart was happy after helping Susan yesterday. Don't you want to help other spirits? You can see them, you shouldn't waste them. At least make your abilities useful for others. Apart from helping the spirits, you also help all students in this school. Thanks to you the bullying system in this school will decrease one by one until it finally completely disappears. I don't really want to involve you either, but I can't do it alone, I need your help, Leslie. I beg you to help me."

I was stunned, I realized that Mrs. Angie's words were not wrong. Right, there must be a reason why I was born with this ability. I should not be selfish and forget the interests of others. And to make me even more guilty, I had made my teacher beg like this. It's true what Mrs. Angie said, I should use this ability to help others. For the sake of everyone's happiness, I will sacrifice even if I have to deal with even terrible ghosts.

"Okay, Mrs. I'll help. Forgive me for being selfish." I said regretfully. Mrs. Angie touched my shoulder as if she was strengthening me.

"Sorry to get you involved." She said, when I saw the guilty look on her face, I realized that Mrs. Angie had to ask for my help too. I smiled while shaking my head.

"It doesn't matter. I'm grateful, you made me realize." Bravely, I embraced her arm. "Let's meet the next ghost," I asked excitedly. Mrs. Angie smiled happily, looking so relieved and happy at the same time.

We stepped away. The question now is, what ghost will we meet today? Hopefully, the ghost is not too terrible like Susan's ghost yesterday, this is my only hope.

***

Mrs. Angie, take me to the top floor of this school building. At first, I was wondering, what would I see on the top floor of the school. and how surprised I was when I saw a very large and wide swimming pool.

"I just found out that this place has a swimming pool. Isn't the swimming pool behind the school?" I asked, still amazed to see that there was a swimming pool there.

"Originally this is where our school's swimming pool was. The swimming pool at the back was newly built."

"Why build a new swimming pool? I think this swimming pool is already big enough."

"Don't you feel it?"

"Feel what?"

I saw Angie was staring at the pond seriously.

"Mystical aura from this swimming pool."

"Not at all," I replied while shaking my head.

"I can feel it, the mystical aura in this place is very strong. There used to be terrible things happening in this place."

"What was that incident?" I'm starting to get excited.

"Some students have drowned because something was pulled out of the water."

"Really? How awful."

I hugged myself, a gripping aura began to be felt, and the hair on my neck also started to bristle.

"The school once drained the pool water, but..." Mrs. Angie paused as if she was hesitant to continue.

"But ... what, Mrs?"

"No matter how many times this pool is drained, surely this pool will automatically fill with water again."

My eyes rounded. "I-it's so terrible."

"Yeah, in other words, this pool can't be drained, it's as if something is living in it."

"Really? But I don't feel anything, usually, if there's a ghost here I can feel it."

This curiosity was piqued, and without me realizing my feet stepped closer to the pool. I squatted down and tried to touch the pool water which was so clear. Then, suddenly...

I feel a pain in my head when I touch the water. There was something resembling a hand coming out of the pool and holding mine. The hand pulled me so that I fell into the pool.